America’s Got Talent presents its first-ever holiday show with winners and contestants from previous seasons tonight on NBC.

The two-hour America’s Got Talent Holiday Spectacular will include performances by this summer’s winner Grace VanderWaal, as well as her competitors, finalists The Clairvoyants, Brian Justin Crum and crooner Sal Valentinetti, who performs a festive “Santa Baby” with judge Heidi Klum, who selected Sal as her Golden Buzzer artist last summer.

“Heidi and I became very close as the weeks went on with the show and when it came time for her to do the Christmas special and she had to choose an act to do it with, she chose me,” Sal told Parade.com in an exclusive interview. “I was really, really honored to be able to do that with her. Working with Heidi is just an incredible experience. You think that it’s going to be something cookie cutter because it’s Christmas, but she went all out so it’s going to be awesome.”

Nick Cannon will host the special, which will also include judges Mel B,Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel, with performances by Olate Dogs and special guests Penn & Teller, Season 2 winner Terry Fator, Season 5 phenom Jackie Evancho, Season 9 winner Mat Franco, The Regurgitator, and daredevil Professor Splash, who will perform a seasonally appropriate dive into a pool of eggnog.

In addition to talking to Sal about his duet with Heidi, we caught up on what he’s been doing since being a finalist on America’s Got Talent.

So is your version of “Santa Baby” smooth like Eartha Kitt’s?

Eartha Kitt did a version of it, a really, really cool version of it. This latest version — Heidi and Sal, I think, it’s going to be a Christmas classic as well.

Did you get to perform in the AGT Vegas show, too?

No, I didn’t. I went to Vegas on my own. I actually opened for Jay Leno at The Mirage at the Terry Fator Theatre and it went over famously well. Jay was the coolest guy ever. He talks almost 15 minutes about cars. He went on and on. Then after the show but before he left, he came up to me and he goes, “Just promise me one thing: One day you’ll let me open for you.” That was just an incredible moment. So yeah, I got to Vegas.

So catch me up a little bit. What is life like post America’s Got Talent?

I did a destination wedding at a castle in Jamaica, I went to Bangkok. The weekend before Thanksgiving, I was in Vegas, and just before that I was in San Diego. I’ve been traveling all over the place, performing all over the country. I went to Dubai, so actually all over the world.

Do you have an agent who’s booking all these gigs?

I have a website. It’s salthevoiceny.com. People have been reaching me on social media and through my website, and booking through there. It’s just been constantly coming in. Knock on wood, I’ve been very blessed.

So not back to the pizza restaurant for you?

No, no, no. Howie Mandel tweeted after the show, “Hey, Sal, see you at the pizza joint.” I don’t know if you’re familiar with the movie Good Fellas, but there’s a scene where Tommy walks into a bar, where he used to shine shoes and the guy is like, “Oh, shine my shoes.” He goes, “I don’t think so kid, I don’t think you heard.” So I said to Howie, “I don’t think you heard. Maybe you’ve been away for too long, but I don’t deliver pizzas no more.” I did a surprise visit actually. I delivered pizzas for a couple hours just to see the reaction on peoples’ faces and it was great.

So what’s next?

I sold out the Paramount three nights in a row. I’m headlining a show at the Westbury Theatre, where Frank Sinatra performed. That is so incredible. I’m doing a show in Jersey at Count Basie Theatre in January. And I’m trying to cut some original music. I’m working with Ron Alexenburg, who is a huge name in the music industry, so that’s cooking too.

Heidi had mentioned to me a couple times that she wanted to do a reality show about my family, about my life, and how crazy it is now, and just showcasing my personality and stuff like that. And there’s prospects in Vegas, too.

AMG/Parade Digital

Connect With Us

More from AMG/Parade

Our partners

Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance
of our User Agreement,
Privacy Policy,
Cookie Notification,
and awareness of the California Privacy Rights.
Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal
and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced,
distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used,
without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Media Group.
Ad Choices